Killed: Gemma McCluskie was murdered and her body left in Regent's Canal in London

The brother of EastEnders actress Gemma McCluskie appeared in court today accused of murdering the 29-year-old and dumping her headless body in a canal.

The former soap star went missing just hours after she attended a hospital opening ceremony on March 1.

McCluskie, of Hackney, East London, appeared for less than two minutes at Thames Magistrates' Court.

The 35-year-old, dressed in a grey long-sleeved top and jeans, spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth. His face has been obscured in the images here at the request of police.

He was remanded in custody and told a bail hearing would take place at the Old Bailey within the next 48 hours.

Chair of the bench Cliff Lynn said a provisional date of March 26 had been set for a preliminary hearing.

A limbless torso found in the Regent's Canal in Hackney, East London, was formally identified as that of Miss McCluskie last Friday, but a post-mortem examination was inconclusive.

Police divers are still searching for her remaining body parts.

Her brother was arrested on Wednesday when officers raided the East London home the pair shared with their mother.

Charged: A court artist sketch of Tony McCluskie at Thames Magistrates' Court, where he stood accused of killing his sister Gemma

Miss McCluskie was reported missing to police two days after she disappeared.

Her body was found on Tuesday afternoon when a member of the public reported a suspicious object floating close to Hackney's famous Broadway Market near her home.

A distinctive tattoo led detectives to believe the body might be that of the former soap star.

Final moments: Miss McCluskie attends a hospital opening ceremony last week just before her disappearance

Shocking death: The ex-TV actress looked relaxed and at ease as she took photos at the East London event

Officers have this week been reviewing
CCTV footage of her attending the opening of the £650million Royal
London Hospital, in Whitechapel, East London, shortly before her
disappearance on Thursday, February 29.

The actress, who played Kerry Skinner in EastEnders, was pictured at the hospital
event wearing a yellow long-sleeved blouse with a round neck, and
navy-blue leggings. She was also carrying a two-toned Louis Vuitton bag
with beige handles.

Miss McCluskie appeared in more than 30 episodes of the BBC soap opera as teenage temptress Kerry Skinner in 2001.

'I always loved you': Gemma's former boyfriend has left a tribute to the actress

The part was her only high-profile
acting role and it is thought more recently she may have been acting as a
carer for her elderly mother, who lived with her and her ex-builder
brother.

Nearby: The discovery was made close to Miss McCluskie's maisonette

Former EastEnders co-stars Natalie Cassidy and Brooke Kinsella both appealed on Twitter for help in finding her.

The McCluskie family's
£280,000 maisonette in Hackney was sealed off and searched by forensics officers. They also towed away the family's
2009 VW Polo overnight for tests.

Last week neighbours said they were stunned by
the developments.

Margaret O’Carroll, who lives two doors away, said
news of the body being found could ‘kill’ Miss McCluskie’s mother,
Pauline, who is currently in hospital suffering from a tumour.

She said the 56-year-old had been ill for several years and walked with the
aid of sticks.

‘I don’t know what Pauline would do
without Gemma,’ she added.

‘Gemma used to take her mum everywhere in her
car. The whole family are quite pleasant.

'She lived here with her mum
and her brother Tony.’

She was in hospital before Gemma's
disappearance and neighbours fear the recent revelations will have an
even greater impact on her health.

A
neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: 'Their mother is very
sick with brain cancer. She is in and out of hospital but was back in
when Gemma disappeared.

'I can't think what this will do to her, it is absolutely sad, so surreal it is happening.'

Neighbour
of 20 years John, who did not wish to reveal his full name, described
Miss McCluskie as a ‘happy-go-lucky girl’ who had never boasted about
her TV past.

Investigation: A police diver searches Regent's Canal next to Broadway Market, East London, after Gemma McCluskie's body was found in March last year

Cordoned off: A police officer by Regent's Canal in east London where Miss McCluskie's torso was found in a suitcase after being thrown into the water in March last year

More than 100 people, including Miss
McCluskie’s second brother Danny, mounted a high-profile search, which
former EastEnders stars Martine McCutcheon and Brooke Kinsella helped to
promote on Twitter.

Two bouquets were left close to where the body was found. One note read: ‘Gemma, we will miss you always.

TV: Gemma McCluskie with Dean Gaffney in EastEnders. She appeared in more than 30 episodes of the soap